I am posting on behalf of a patient group which includes over 1'000 men suffering from a persistent form of ADS (Androgen Deprivation Syndrome) / PADS resulting from 5AR inhibitor use (finasteride, dutasteride, isotretinoin, saw palmetto extract). PADS can also be caused by GnRH Antagonists and SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). In some cases, birth control pills have also been known to cause PADS. It is estimated that the number of men and woman suffering from PADS worldwide ranges from 30K to >100K persons.

PADS patients experience a wide array of persistent, serious side effects which appear during or after the use of these substances and don't resolve even years after quitting. The fact that a common set of persistent adverse reactions results from these largely unrelated substance classes, supports the conclusion that the effects observed do not result due to idiosyncrasies of these agents but rather of their common activity, i.e. the significant reduction of cellular androgen levels.

Preliminary discussions with doctors and scientists have established a theory as to why PADS occurs (also known as the 5ARI Withdrawal Syndrome in the context of 5ARI substances). It is suspected that reducing androgens at the cellular level leads to a AR hypersensitivity and methylation of AR coregulators through an unknown mechanism. The theory is documented in the following paper: http://docs.propecia...I-WS_Theory.pdf

The propeciahelp organization is now looking for scientists with a strong background in androgen receptor signaling, regulation and epigenetics to help prove the theory or develop and prove an alternative theory. Proposed experiments include AR RNA quantification via PCR or microarrays and methylation studies of known AR coregulator genes.

If you are interested in collaboration, please contact the organization under research@propeciahelp.com or via this forum.